EU Parliament Calls for Strengthened Ties with Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan Amid Shifting Global Order

The European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs has approved a report urging the EU to boost diplomatic, security, and economic cooperation with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. The document, endorsed on Wednesday, will be voted on in the mid-July plenary. It calls for “greater rapprochement” to cut EU strategic dependence and improve economic security.

The EU seeks more alliance with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

MEPs say the spread of “authoritarian governance models” in East Asia, especially China’s expanding influence, threatens peace and stability. The report links this to Russia’s war in Ukraine, Middle-East instability, and Russia’s growing cooperation with North Korea, raising concerns about Pyongyang’s nuclear and ballistic programmes and alleged ties to Iran.

The EU seeks more alliance with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

The report was drafted by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, with Polish MEP Adam Bielan of the European Conservatives and Reformists group acting as rapporteur. It targets Japan, South Korea and Taiwan as democratic partners sharing “the same democratic values and high regulatory standards.” The EU foreign policy apparatus and the foreign ministries of the three Asian states, together with their agencies, are implicit participants.

The EU seeks more alliance with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

The report proposes to:

The EU seeks more alliance with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

• Diversify supply chains and secure EU access to semiconductors, batteries and essential raw materials.

The EU seeks more alliance with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

• Leverage Japan and South Korea’s leadership in artificial intelligence, defence tech and cyber-military response.

The EU seeks more alliance with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

• Build strategic alliances on cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, crisis management and disinformation.

The EU seeks more alliance with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

• Establish a dedicated EU-Taiwan framework focused on semiconductors, AI and cyber-maritime security.

The EU seeks more alliance with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

• Coordinate a coherent EU policy toward North Korea with Japan and South Korea to address Russia-North Korea cooperation and nuclear proliferation concerns.

The EU seeks more alliance with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

According to rapporteur Adam Bielan, the region underpins global trade, technological innovation and critical supply chains, and serves as a key pillar of international security. Strengthening ties aims to counter coercive economic practices, ease security tensions and enhance EU resilience in today’s volatile geopolitical climate.

The EU seeks more alliance with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

The report stresses the need for coordinated diplomatic engagement, joint research and shared security mechanisms with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan to offset China’s influence and protect European economic and security interests.

The EU seeks more alliance with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

• “The region is not only a cornerstone of global trade, technological innovation, and critical supply chains, but also a fundamental pillar of international security," said the rapporteur of the report, Polish MEP from the European Conservatives and Reformists group Adam Bielan.” — Adam Bielan, Polish MEP, European Conservatives and Reformists group, rapporteur of the report.

The EU seeks more alliance with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

The proposal will be debated and voted on in the mid-July plenary. If approved, the European Commission is expected to draft partnership frameworks and allocate resources for joint projects in technology, cybersecurity and maritime security, deepening the EU’s presence in East Asia.

The EU seeks more alliance with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan